Free and Clear
Just got a call from my radiation oncologist. I had the followup PET scan on Monday (finally!) and the results are in.
The previously enlarged lymph node has shrunk from 2 cm down to about 4 mm. That also happens to be about the size of a healthy lymph node. Also, no abnormal metabolic activity on the PET scan.
In short, no evidence of any remaining cancer. I've been here once before, and I know that I'm not out of the woods yet. Recurrence can occur any time in the first 1-5 years, and sometimes as late as 10 years. But man, it feels good to get past that first test.
Now I know that all the funny little feelings, sensations, and minor pains I've had off and on the last couple of months were not due to new tumors. Going forward, that's very helpful to know. Anxiety has been one of the worst parts of this whole ordeal, and this news helps with that tremendously.
The folks are coming to town this afternoon, so I suppose we'll celebrate. Woohoo.
The previously enlarged lymph node has shrunk from 2 cm down to about 4 mm. That also happens to be about the size of a healthy lymph node. Also, no abnormal metabolic activity on the PET scan.
In short, no evidence of any remaining cancer. I've been here once before, and I know that I'm not out of the woods yet. Recurrence can occur any time in the first 1-5 years, and sometimes as late as 10 years. But man, it feels good to get past that first test.
Now I know that all the funny little feelings, sensations, and minor pains I've had off and on the last couple of months were not due to new tumors. Going forward, that's very helpful to know. Anxiety has been one of the worst parts of this whole ordeal, and this news helps with that tremendously.
The folks are coming to town this afternoon, so I suppose we'll celebrate. Woohoo.
Posted by Mike H on Friday, October 17, 2008 01:22PM
- 13 comments
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Keywords:
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#13 Tiberath:
Danial.Beta wrote:
> Tiberath wrote:
> > Congratulations sir! Beers are in order.
>
> Beer is a "It's Friday" drink. A proper celebration drink is Scotch or Rum.
You're right! Where are my manors! Jameson for all!
Again: Congratulations on your recovery Mike! It'll be good to see you more active around here again. =)
Saturday, October 18, 2008 07:03PM
#12 Kuraudo:
Great news Mikeh! (That's pronounced similar to Mikey, FYI).
Saturday, October 18, 2008 02:16PM
#11 Danial.Beta:
Tiberath wrote:
> Congratulations sir! Beers are in order.
Beer is a "It's Friday" drink. A proper celebration drink is Scotch or Rum.
Back to the important topic at hand, great to hear Mike. Where would BYOND be without ya?
Saturday, October 18, 2008 09:52AM
#10 Gughunter:
Excellent!
Saturday, October 18, 2008 06:03AM
#9 Tiberath:
'bout time!
Congratulations sir! Beers are in order (for everyone old enough to drink in their respective countries, I know I am. =D).
Saturday, October 18, 2008 02:30AM
#8 Flick:
Great to hear. :)
Friday, October 17, 2008 11:03PM
#7 Popisfizzy:
Good to hear.
Friday, October 17, 2008 05:01PM
#6 Jtgibson:
Pure awesomesauce. Good luck on clean scans for the next decade!
Friday, October 17, 2008 02:59PM
#5 Yammen:
Congratulations man. My aunt was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and it spread to her lymph nodes. There's also a chance my mother has it as well, it runs in our family. The thing is though, they were basically asking for with all they did in their life, but still.. Anyways, good luck and I hope it don't come back.
Friday, October 17, 2008 02:32PM
#4 Miran M:
Congratulations!
Friday, October 17, 2008 02:18PM
#3 Lummox JR:
Fantastic. Congratulations on the good outcome!
Friday, October 17, 2008 02:05PM
#2 Venom Development:
That is great news man, hope everything goes all right for you in the future.
Friday, October 17, 2008 01:28PM
#1 Bootyboy:
YES!!! That's so great to hear, Mike!
Friday, October 17, 2008 01:24PM